Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison finished second in a Citizens Against Government Waste poll for Porker of the Year 2009.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., finished first with 49 percent of the vote. Hutchison received 26 percent for her requests of 149 projects worth $1.6 billion in earmarks for the 2010 fiscal year.

Hutchison won “Porker of the Month” in October 2009. Gov. Rick Perry’s spokesman, Mark Miner, told the Dallas Morning News that Hutchison’s finish is in line with what he said was her record of wasteful spending. Hutchison’s campaign countered, saying that she is proud to bring tax dollars to Texas.

Republicans looking to unseat Chet Edwards

Five Republican candidates squared off Tuesday in a debated who would be the best candidate to take on U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

The candidates include former Waco TV News man Rob Curnock, who garnered 46 percent of the vote against Edwards in 2008, and retired oil and gas executive Bill Flores, who leads in the cash and borrowing race.

Edwards, a constant target of Republicans for representing a district that traditionally votes conservative, reported $1.3 million cash on hand at the end of December. Flores only reported having about $369,000.

The other candidates are retired CIA officer Chuck Wilson, Timothy Delasandro, a College Station nurse, and Dave McIntyre, a Texas A&M professor.